Chapter 344: 不可观里读书声

The light filtering through the trees cast a soft, gentle emerald glow. Sunlight bathed the Taoist temple, making it pristine. From the distant wall, the occasional chirping of crickets could be heard. Fine, fluffy dandelion seeds drifted on the breeze, brushing past their hair.

A boy in green clothes and a girl in a white dress leaned back-to-back, reading in the shade of a tree.

The sky looked as if it had been washed clean by a sudden downpour, with scattered, wispy clouds. In the distance, the ridge of the Taoist temple formed a gentle curve, its green tiles neatly arranged.

Ning Changjiu savored this beauty. He occasionally looked up from his book, gazing at the sunlight beyond the tree shade.

The sunlight was brighter than ever before.

Zhao Xiang'er also gently raised her head. The girl's serene face looked at the sun, her delicate features softening.

The continuous overcast and rainy days in the imperial city felt like only yesterday, making the shimmering light in the Taoist temple feel almost unreal.

Under the large tree, the passage of time seemed to slow down.

Dappled light slowly shifted to the leaves, dancing on their clothes. The dream had not yet ended.

Ning Changjiu softly spoke: "Junior Sister Xiang'er."

"Hmm?" Zhao Xiang'er tilted her chin slightly.

Ning Changjiu turned his head and saw a face illuminated by dappled spring light.

"Won't it get boring just reading here all the time?" Ning Changjiu suddenly asked.

Zhao Xiang'er shook her head, playfully swatting his head with her ponytail as a playful warning. She said seriously, "These classics are so captivating you can't put them down. If you're just pretending to read to keep me company, then yes, time will drag on for you like years. You don't have to force yourself."

Ning Changjiu smiled slightly. "How could I find it boring? I love this book, and I also love the person who loves this book."

Zhao Xiang'er was immune to his flattery. She gently closed her book and said, "I'm not a book, you know."

Ning Changjiu thought, *Of course not. Mine is a heavenly text, and yours is a blank one... Ah, even if it's just a dream, having such a beautiful companion to read with means I shouldn't wish for anything more.*

He only hoped such a dream would last longer.

Ning Changjiu asked curiously, "Junior Sister Xiang'er, do you like it here?"

Zhao Xiang'er's gaze drifted lazily. She said, "Here, the clouds and moon are above, and the mountains below. The scenery is pleasant; it's a place where one's heart feels at peace."

Ning Changjiu asked, "Compared to your Zhao kingdom?"

"My Zhao kingdom?" Zhao Xiang'er seemed displeased.

Ning Changjiu paused slightly, then immediately corrected himself: "I meant my maiden home."

Zhao Xiang'er gently shook her head, realizing she had overestimated Ning Changjiu's character—he had been mischievous since childhood!

"Of course, the Zhao kingdom is also very nice. I grew up there, and the elder and younger sisters in the palace were very kind to me. Oh, and there was a large banyan tree in the palace, about the same size as this one. I used to love climbing trees," Zhao Xiang'er recalled.

Ning Changjiu's heart stirred. He said, "I don't quite believe that."

Zhao Xiang'er asked, "Believe what?"

Ning Changjiu said, "I don't believe a slender girl like you with thin arms and legs could climb a tree."

"Thin arms and legs?" Zhao Xiang'er's lips curved into a smile, her cunning eyes narrowing like crescent moons. She chuckled, "Looks like you've never had a good beating."

Ning Changjiu said, "There's a tree right beside us. Why don't you try?"

Zhao Xiang'er was not one to admit defeat. She tossed the book in her hand into Ning Changjiu's lap and said, "Help me. I'll show you something impressive."

"Don't worry, Junior Sister," Ning Changjiu said with a smile as he took the book.

Zhao Xiang'er rolled up the sleeves of her Taoist robe, revealing her fair, tender, lotus-root-like arms. Without using a trace of spiritual power, she lightly leaped and deftly embraced the tree trunk. Her movement on the trunk wasn't a climb but a nimble scramble, like a lithe little cat.

In a few quick bounds, Zhao Xiang'er reached the first sturdy branch.

She semi-crouched on the branch, holding onto the trunk, and looked down at Ning Changjiu, her gaze challenging. "Well? What do you have to say now?" she asked.

Ning Changjiu gazed at her, a look of admiration on his face. "Xiang'er... you've truly opened my eyes."

"Opened your eyes?" Zhao Xiang'er's expression changed slightly. She realized something was amiss and immediately reached to press down her white skirt. The girl suddenly looked up, a blush spreading across her pale cheeks, but more prominent was her anger. "Ning! Chang! Jiu!"

*So he tricked me into climbing the tree just to peek from below... He's asking for a beating!*

Zhao Xiang'er twisted her wrists, her eyes narrowing like slender swords.

Ning Changjiu inwardly thought, *This is bad.* He had often seen that look back in Linhe City, where Xiang'er had beaten him into submission and he had long been awed by the Empress's formidable presence.

Ning Changjiu wanted to run, but it was too late.

Zhao Xiang'er nimbly leaped down from the tree, darting behind him in a flash and tackling him onto the soft grass.

In the dream, Ning Changjiu felt no flow of spiritual power. His fight with Zhao Xiang'er was no different from village children wrestling in a wheat field. The two of them grappled on the lawn, exchanging solid blows, a surprisingly entertaining sight.

Ultimately, the lion cub-like Xiang'er gained the upper hand.

After a series of parries and dodges in their scuffle, she gained the advantage, straddling his waist with her legs and pinning him firmly beneath her. She pinned his arms, staring coldly at him. "What were you looking at down there? Should I gouge out your eyeballs?"

Ning Changjiu argued sophistically, "You wanted to climb it yourself; you wanted to show off. I didn't force you... Ah!"

Zhao Xiang'er pinched his ear firmly. "What did you say?" she demanded.

"No... nothing!" Ning Changjiu, outmatched, had no choice but to beg for mercy. "Mercy, Miss Xiang'er."

"Do you deserve mercy?" Zhao Xiang'er didn't let go.

Ning Changjiu said, "If you hurt me, it won't be easy to explain to Master when she comes out of seclusion."

Zhao Xiang'er remembered his flirtatious ways in the real world and gritted her teeth. She grabbed a book lying nearby, rolled it up, and smacked him hard on the head. "You're incorrigible! If I beat you to death today, it would be a relief for Master."

Ning Changjiu looked at her youthful, annoyed face and felt he should assert himself. He said, "I'm only letting you because you're a young girl. Don't be ungrateful and force my hand!"

Zhao Xiang'er was not intimidated in the least. How could she not know how much a sixteen-year-old him weighed in strength? *Hmph*, she thought, *even a hundred of him wouldn't be enough to match me!*

"Looks like you're tired of living!" Zhao Xiang'er rolled up her sleeves.

A spring breeze suddenly arose, gently scattering the delicate dandelions. On the grass, green blades and flowers were bent. Under the brilliant light, their clothes were adorned with numerous fragments of flowers and grass, still carrying a lingering fragrance.

The two, who had originally agreed to study diligently, ended up rolling around on the blanket-like grass.

After a chaotic melee, Ning Changjiu was utterly defeated and surrendered to Zhao Xiang'er.

Zhao Xiang'er's ponytail had come undone in the struggle, her dark, fine hair cascading down and sticking to her fair, tender cheeks. The girl had finally regained her composure and vented her frustration. She realized that reasoning with Ning Changjiu was pointless; force was the only way!

Ning Changjiu lay on the grass, feeling the formidable power of the girl's taut legs. While admitting defeat, he could only console himself that losing to his wife was nothing to be ashamed of.

*Hmm... besides, it's a dream. Perhaps my subconscious thinks Xiang'er is stronger than me. But if we had another three-year pact, I'm very confident I could beat Xiang'er into submission, making her call me 'husband' and beg for mercy.*

Victorious, Zhao Xiang'er was in high spirits. She looked at Ning Changjiu's handsome face, resisting the urge to pinch his cheeks. With her arms crossed, she spoke with a mature air from her youthful lips, solemnly lecturing him: "From now on, no more mischievous thoughts or bad ideas. Study hard, and obediently listen to your Senior Sister, understood?"

Ning Changjiu suppressed his feelings and agreed.

They fought fiercely but reconciled quickly.

Zhao Xiang'er held her book, sitting by the lotus pond and reading. Her bare, snow-white feet dangled, slender and pale, disturbing the duckweed and reflections in the pond. Beneath her soft skirt, ripples spread from her pristine toes. Sunlight shone on her delicate toes, making her translucent nails shimmer with a mother-of-pearl luster.

Ning Changjiu tiptoed to stand behind her.

Zhao Xiang'er's gaze paused from her book. She tilted her head slightly and asked, "What do you want? Haven't you learned your lesson?"

No sooner had she spoken than she felt something land on her head. Zhao Xiang'er paused, touched it with her hand, then leaned forward to see her reflection in the pond. A beautifully and tightly woven wreath of flowers now sat on her head.

Zhao Xiang'er said quietly, "Hmph, a wreath? Are you wishing me an early death?"

Ning Changjiu said, "It's a grass wreath; flowers are harder to weave."

"The poor little flowers and grass were growing so well, and you, a cruel person, pulled them out without any care!" Zhao Xiang'er scolded.

Ning Changjiu said sincerely, "On my head, it would be a waste of nature's bounty, but on Xiang'er's head, it's the Empress's crown."

Zhao Xiang'er's expression subtly changed. She bit her lip, constantly reminding herself not to be swayed by his sweet words.

Her face remained cool and aloof as she said, "I don't have officials who dislike studying as much as you do. You're dismissed!"

Ning Changjiu innocently said, "Your Highness is so heartless."

Zhao Xiang'er proudly declared, "I am purging the corrupt officials from my side!"

Ning Changjiu smiled and said, "Xiang'er, since you're new to the temple, let me show you around."

"Are you intentionally trying to disturb my reading?" Zhao Xiang'er said, puffing out her cheeks.

Ning Changjiu said, "Just reading in a different place."

As he spoke, he took Zhao Xiang'er's wrist. She struggled gently but was pulled to her feet by him.

"Wait, I haven't put on my shoes yet," Zhao Xiang'er said. Wearing the wreath, her long hair loose, she half-heartedly allowed him to lead her on a tour of the Taoist temple she hadn't yet had a chance to properly explore.

It was precisely noon, and the sun was directly overhead, shining down along the central axis of the Taoist temple.

Ning Changjiu led Zhao Xiang'er from the Divine Hall where Master was in seclusion, walking outwards.

"This is the Divine Calendar Hall. It houses three Taoist Masters and a deity who controls the divine calendar. On the walls are marvelous devices for calculating time, said to be perfectly accurate," Ning Changjiu explained as he led her to the first hall.

At this moment, only the two of them were in the Taoist temple. There was no incense burning in the hall, making it very quiet and serene.

Zhao Xiang'er looked around, nodding slightly. "Hmm... these deities are all unfamiliar."

Ning Changjiu pointed at the precise instrument on the wall. "What time were you born, Xiang'er? It's said that this time-calculating device can plot one's Bazi (Eight Characters of Birth) and even predict destiny."

Zhao Xiang'er asked, puzzled, "Born? How would I remember that from when I was born?"

"..." Ning Changjiu didn't know how to refute that.

"This is the Pavilion of Laws and Decrees, a place overseen by a... by a Master."

Ning Changjiu almost blurted out "Senior Sister." At present, there was no Senior Sister in this Taoist temple. If he said it, it might confuse the dream with reality and cause him to wake up.

They arrived at the next room.

"The style here is too serious. I don't like it," Zhao Xiang'er said bluntly.

Ning Changjiu gave her a quick tour of the Pavilion of Laws and Decrees. The items displayed there looked valuable but held little aesthetic appeal.

Ning Changjiu led Zhao Xiang'er to the Cloud Terrace, where they looked down together.

"What's that over there...?" Zhao Xiang'er asked, shading her eyes with one hand and pointing at the small town below the Taoist temple with the other.

Ning Changjiu explained, "That's Dajiang Town. Many artisans live there, each exceptionally skilled and truly masterful. When we have some free time, we can go visit it together."

"Dajiang Town?" Zhao Xiang'er said, "Where's the river?"

Ning Changjiu said, "Dajiang Town doesn't necessarily have to have a river, does it?"

Zhao Xiang'er said, "Right, and Ning Changjiu might not last *long* either."

Ning Changjiu's brows furrowed slightly. "Zhao Xiang'er might not..."

Zhao Xiang'er giggled childishly. "Might not what?"

Ning Changjiu also smiled. "Nothing. Xiang'er is truly as fragrant as her name implies."

"You scoundrel!" Zhao Xiang'er reached out to pinch his ear.

Ning Changjiu deftly dodged and caught her hand.

"Hmph... let go!" Zhao Xiang'er struggled to free her wrist.

Ning Changjiu said, "I'll take Xiang'er to find a good place to read."

"No need to look! Anywhere you're not is a good place!" Zhao Xiang'er felt he was always distracting her from her studies.

Bantering and playfully fighting along the way, Ning Changjiu led her to the Lotus Study.

As soon as they entered the study, they saw the boldly calligraphed character 'Jing' (靜, meaning "quiet") within.

Zhao Xiang'er looked at the character 'Jing' and admired it for a while. Usually, studies would have such characters to remind people to read quietly, but she had never seen one written with such flamboyant strokes.

However, the books in the pavilion were dazzlingly abundant, seemingly endless.

Ning Changjiu and Zhao Xiang'er wandered among the bookshelves. Zhao Xiang'er casually picked up a book and flipped through it. The text inside was clear and well-organized; although she couldn't quite understand it, it seemed to be a serious book.

*Hmm, this dream is quite considerate, even the details of the books are so well-rendered.*

Zhao Xiang'er couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

"I like it here."

The two lingered among the sea of books, their gazes skimming over titles on the spines, before returning to the not-so-quiet character 'Jing'. Zhao Xiang'er expressed her fondness for this study.

Ning Changjiu said, "Then we can come here often to read in the future."

Zhao Xiang'er looked at the towering bookshelves. "These books probably couldn't be finished in a lifetime, could they?"

Ning Changjiu thought of his Fifth Senior Brother and chuckled softly, "Not necessarily."

Zhao Xiang'er said, "This Taoist temple is vast, yet it feels rather desolate."

Ning Changjiu said, "Perhaps it was created by heaven just for us."

Zhao Xiang'er looked thoughtful.

The two arrived at the center of the study, where there was a pond. Innumerable golden lotuses floated in the pond, watered by a spring slowly emerging from above, making them shimmer brilliantly.

"Every lotus petal here is a book," Ning Changjiu said.

"What's written on them?" Zhao Xiang'er lightly touched one with her finger. The lotus seemed shy, its petals closing slightly.

Ning Changjiu said, "That, I suppose, you'll have to ask Master."

Zhao Xiang'er didn't press the matter. They walked out of the study together, returning to the bright sunlight.

They walked down the steps.

Below was the Liberation Pond.

"This is my favorite place," Ning Changjiu said, pointing to the Liberation Pond.

Zhao Xiang'er leaned against the railing, her gaze idly following the small fish in the pond. "Just looking at fish?" she asked.

Ning Changjiu smiled slightly. "We can catch some fish from the river in Dajiang Town's fields and release them here. That way, we can accumulate a lot of merit."

Zhao Xiang'er asked, "Then where does the water from this Liberation Pond flow to?"

Ning Changjiu said, "It flows back into the river in Dajiang Town's fields."

"..." Zhao Xiang'er was silent for a moment, then said, "Will the Bodhisattvas acknowledge the merit you've accumulated?"

"The Bodhisattvas have already acknowledged it," Ning Changjiu said.

"How have they acknowledged it?" Zhao Xiang'er asked.

Ning Changjiu looked at her, smiling gently. "If I hadn't accumulated this merit, how could I have met Xiang'er? Did I save the world in a past life?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xiang'er blinked her clear, sparkling eyes. Leaning against the railing, her gaze had nowhere to settle.

"Don't be so conceited," Zhao Xiang'er said weakly, then crossed the bridge and walked ahead by herself.

Ning Changjiu quietly followed.

Ahead lay the gate of the Unseen Temple.

Zhao Xiang'er stopped.

Ning Changjiu looked at her pale back and asked, "What's wrong?"

"We're not going any further," Zhao Xiang'er said.

"Why?" No sooner had Ning Changjiu asked than he looked up and saw a stretch of pebble path between their current spot and the steps.

Zhao Xiang'er's delicate, tender feet were still bare, her pale ankles translucent and dazzling in the sunlight.

"It's inconvenient for Xiang'er to walk. I'll just carry you over," Ning Changjiu said.

Zhao Xiang'er's eyes trembled slightly.

During the autumn rain three years ago, during their three-year pact, Ning Changjiu had carried her, running wildly in the rain for a long time. It was a memory she would never forget.

But with her feelings now clear, she was still quite shy.

"Carry your head! It's good enough if I don't beat you!" Zhao Xiang'er pushed him away and said, "It's getting late. Let's go back and read. Don't waste time."

Ning Changjiu also nodded slightly.

These scriptures held countless mysteries, and it was best to comprehend them soon. Though he was now in Myriad Demon City with Siming protecting him, a woman's strength was ultimately no substitute for one's own.

Ning Changjiu walked back with her, their sleeves brushing, to the grassy area outside the Unseen Divine Hall.

Zhao Xiang'er sat on the lawn, wearing the grass wreath, leaning against the tree, like an elf maiden emerging from the forest.

Ning Changjiu sat beside her, and they read together.

Time slowed down once more.

They read, occasionally looking up, their eyes meeting. After being apart for over half a year, in different places, the feelings in their hearts had grown in the dream. Their eyes met, understanding unspoken, and they involuntarily began to do other things on the lawn.

"How about this? It's my first time like this too..."

"Hmm... it's not very comfortable. Don't move for a bit; let me get used to it."

"Maybe the position isn't quite right. Let's try another."

"Change... change what position? No, this is so embarrassing."

"You'll get used to it..."

On the lawn, the two were discussing positions for reading together.

Ning Changjiu stretched out his legs, and Zhao Xiang'er's head gently rested on his lap. Zhao Xiang'er stretched her neck, picked up her book, and tried reading in that position. "This position is good," she declared. "From now on, you'll be my pillow! We'll read like this!"

Ning Changjiu said, "You always use me as a pillow to read. That's not fair. When do I get to use you as a pillow?"

"It's your honor!" Zhao Xiang'er retorted. "Besides, a girl's legs aren't just for anyone to rest on. Don't even think about it."

Ning Changjiu said, "Just wait until I can beat you. Let's see if you're still so arrogant then."

Zhao Xiang'er said, "Then you'll probably be bullied by me for your whole life."

"Alright, for a lifetime," Ning Changjiu said softly.

Zhao Xiang'er covered her slightly flushed cheeks with the book. She pursed her thin lips and said in a muffled voice, "Shut up! Read!"

After wasting considerable time, the two finally began to read diligently.

Inside the Unseen Temple, Ye Changong sighed softly, hesitating whether to separate them. Otherwise, they might not have enough time to read the scriptures... How would they face their future tribulations?

"Ah, it seems I'll have to find someone to keep you two in line," Ye Changong murmured to herself.

Myriad Demon City, Bhikkhu Peak.

Siming sat by the window. Outside, a fine rain fell continuously. She sighed, finally pausing her cultivation.

"What are you laughing at?" Siming looked towards the bed.

On the bed, Ning Changjiu, still deep in slumber, had his lips curved into a slight smile, chuckling occasionally as if immersed in a beautiful dream.

Siming walked to the bedside, knelt gently on the bed, and cat-like, crept closer to Ning Changjiu.

In the dim room, Siming narrowed her eyes, observing the sleeping youth.

Ning Changjiu showed no sign of waking.

Seeing him sleep so peacefully, Siming also felt a wave of drowsiness.

"Hmph, as if you're the only one who can dream," Siming muttered, displeased with Ning Changjiu's night-long sweet dreams.

She lay down beside him, and after setting up several high-level enchantments outside the room, she slowly fell asleep as well.

Not long after, Ning Changjiu woke up.

The last scene of his dream was of him and Xiang'er reading together until their spiritual energy was depleted. Then they fell asleep under a large tree covered in white blossoms, lying on the grass. Zhao Xiang'er held a book, and Ning Changjiu rested his head on her soft legs, the fragrance of crushed grass and flowers lingering around them.

He slowly opened his eyes, only to see a serene and exquisitely beautiful sleeping face.

Ning Changjiu did not wake Siming, who had just fallen asleep, but merely pulled the blanket up higher.

He recalled his previous dream, quietly gazing at the face before him, his Taoist heart profoundly peaceful.

At this moment, in the Three Thousand Worlds, Zhao Xiang'er also slowly awoke. She propped herself up with her sword, pursed her lips, and softly chuckled for a moment. Then she took up her sword and walked into the depths of the flames, where the air had solidified into walls.

Central Continent.

Liu Junzhuo was still on her way to the Ancient Spirit Sect.

Lu Jiajia was in the Nine Nether Hall. Lately, she had been going to sleep very late every night. She watched the flowers gently fall outside in the night, then slowly looked up following a faint light, seeing the moon in the sky.

Gazing at the moon, she thought of someone.

Lu Jiajia, in her white robe with her hair unbound, cut a graceful and serene figure in the dark night.

She stared at the moon, gradually feeling drowsy.

Lu Jiajia merely assumed it was due to her daytime cultivation and her thoughts at night.

She walked back to her bed.

Xiaoling was curled up on the pillow, her closed fox eyes looking like two slits, utterly adorable.

Lu Jiajia gently fell asleep.